Dutch furniture company ‘t Spectrum — later Spectrum — was established in 1941 with a run of pieces that were spare and outwardly industrial in appearance. Its early armchairs and dining chairs were often framed in tubular metal, and boast clearly defined lines and minimal curves. The vintage ‘t Spectrum seating in the decades that followed, which was designed by the likes of Gerrit Rietveld and Wim van Gelderen, is characterized by the angular forms and Pop art-hued colors that we associate with the best of mid-century modernism.
‘t Spectrum emerged in 1941 as an offshoot of the Dutch fabric manufacturer De Ploeg. When a shortage of textiles and other materials took shape owing to the demands of the Second World War, De Ploeg director Piet Blijenburg changed gears, and sought to broaden the manufacturer’s offerings as well as prevent the company's employees from being forced into work for occupying military forces.
‘t Spectrum was a brand devoted to furniture and interiors — as well as goods and decor for the home such as coat racks, napkin rings and beds. Legendary modernist furniture designer Gerrit Rietveld — an integral part of the Dutch art and design movement of the early 20th century called De Stijl — was brought on in a supervisory role in its early days, and designer Martin Visser was installed to oversee the production of furniture.
The end of the war brought a greater availability of metals and other materials to ‘t Spectrum, which became more focused on creating affordable furniture for the era’s new homeowners. A new factory designed by Rietveld was built in Bergeijk in 1957. During the late 1960s, ‘t Spectrum offered a richer range of furnishings, incorporating alluring hardwoods and leathers as part of sophisticated lines of seating and other pieces designed in the mid-century modern style. Visser recruited the likes of Friso Kramer, Benno Premsela, Constant Nieuwenhuys and others to design for ‘t Spectrum over the years.
With competition for cheaper furniture on the rise in the 1970s, ‘t Spectrum liquidated in 1974. A group of employees acquired the designs and continued the company under the name of Arspect. The firm produced ‘t Spectrum designs and works from other designers.
Arspect closed its doors in 1986. A former employee bought the company and renewed it with the name Spectrum. Today, Spectrum operates in Eindhoven in the Netherlands, creating contemporary designs alongside pieces dating back to the look and feel of the products offered by the original manufacturer. The company is also reproducing original designs created by Visser and Rietveld.
On 1stDibs, browse a selection of vintage ‘t Spectrum seating, tables, storage pieces and more.
Custom Martin Visser Wenge Floating Credenza, Wall-Mount, 1960s Design
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Floating wall-mount credenza attributed to Dutch Mid-Century designer Martin Visser features a striking contrast between a dark wenge frame and three crisp white sliding panel doors....
Glass, Wood, Wenge
$12,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 80 in D 21 in
Custom Order Modern Floating Credenza Walnut Bronze & Leather AMBIANIC 2022
By AMBIANIC
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Modern Floating Credenza Exquisite craftsmanship and details on a custom-built floating credenza handmade in California. Crafted in walnut woo...
Bronze
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 80.5 in D 21.75 in
Ambianic Floating Credenza Mahogany Leather and Brass
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Custom Modern Floating Credenza Style MCM Mahogany Wood with Leather & Brass Exquisite craftsmanship, handmade in California. Designed by Pablo Romo AMBIANIC. 80.5 W x 21.75 D x 32 H...
Brass
Pace Carpathian Elm-Burl Floating Wall Mounted Sideboard
By Pace Collection
Located in Gladstone, NJ
Pace Carpathian Elm-Burl Floating Wall Mounted Sideboard
Wood, Burl
Marcel Breuer Custom Floating Credenza with Bar and Stereo System
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Chicago, IL
This piece came from the Cohen House, which was featured in a book by David Masello, "Architecture Without Rules" The houses of Marcel Breuer and Herbert Beckhard. This was a collaboration piece from the two architects. Herbert Beckhard was the Project Architect for this home as he was close friends with the Cohens. The floating wall credenza is in original condition unaltered. White lacquered body with gray laminate tops. It shows minor paint chips along the edge as well as some crazing throughout the piece. Overall this piece is in excellent vintage condition and shows patina which I declare as charming signs of wear and character. It was once modified by the original owners and "Marcel Breuer and Architects" to add a shelf and take away their record player, as you can see from the current and original photo from the 70's. The Hitachi SR-2000 amplifier and Rectilinear Research Corp speakers were replaced by the original owners at some point in time. The original amplifier and speakers, were by Marantz I believe, judging by the in situ photo taken in the early 70's. Theres minor issues with raising the volume and hearing crackling noises with the current speaker and amplifier. It is recommended that you update the stereo system. This cabinet features two perforated speaker compartments, a red and blue light up element, a mirrored liquor compartment, pull out hanging glass rack...
Metal
$2,790Sale Price|35% Off
H 39.77 in W 41.34 in D 19.69 in
Vintage 1960s wooden secretaire credenza design G.Frattini for Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Rosewood secretaire with gilt brass feet and handles, features four drawers and a flap with original lock and key, designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, 1960s. CONDITION: In ...
Brass
$10,676
H 17.72 in W 122.05 in D 17.72 in
Horst Brüning long wall mounted sideboard model 1730, Behr. 1960s
By Horst Bruning
Located in LYON, FR
Floating Horst Brüning long sideboard model 1730, Behr. 1960s Large suspended sideboard from the 1960s by German industrial designer and architect Horst Brüning, published by Behr. ...
Aluminum
Martin Visser Bookcase 't Spectrum, Holland, 1965
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice modernist bookcase unit model WW72 designed by Martin Visser and manufactured by 't Spectrum, Holland, 1965. This unit has black ebonized wooden s...
Beech
$25,000Sale Price|21% Off
H 20 in W 72 in D 21 in
Paul Evans Cityscape Patchwork Burlwood Wall Floating Credenza
By Paul Evans
Located in Toledo, OH
Paul Evans Cityscape patchwork burlwood floating credenza. This stunning long mid-century Paul Evans credenza is comprised of two file cabinets with 14.5" interior width and two cent...
Wood
credenza design angelo mangiarotti for molteni 1960
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in taranto, IT
wonderful credenza designed by angelo mangiarotti for Molteni, Italy, about 1960. Made in wood with marble top. Very good conditions, as pics, shipping costs...
Marble
$6,750 / item
H 18.75 in W 69.75 in D 21.75 in
CraftAssociates Credenza, Eiger Modern Walnut Credenza, 1702, Floating
By Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
CraftAssociates Credenza, Eiger Modern Walnut Credenza, 1702, Floating This Eiger Modern Walnut Credenza Craft Associates® furniture is expertly crafted. The base is constructed by ...
Maple, Walnut
$4,061
H 19.69 in W 93.12 in D 18.9 in
Mid-Century Modern KW26 Floating Sideboard by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum
By 't Spectrum Bergeijk, Martin Visser
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Mid-Century Modern KW26 floating sideboard. Design by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum Bergeijk. Striking Dutch design from the 1970s. Black lacquered wenge base wi...
Metal
$42,000
H 28.12 in W 78.94 in D 15.75 in
Jorge Zalszupin, Rosewood Patchwork Credenza, Brazilian Midcentury Design, 1960s
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
This Rosewood Credenza, designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) and manufactured by L'Atelier in the 1960s, is a great way to have the diversity of different tones of Rosewood in j...
Rosewood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 63 in D 17.72 in
Sideboard by Martin Visser and Jos Manders for ‘t Spectrum, The Netherlands 1958
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Antwerp, BE
Modernist sideboard designed by Martin Visser and Jos Manders for ‘t Spectrum, The Netherlands, 1958. This is Model No. ‘KW87’ made out of wenge, white pai...
Metal
Martin Visser Floating Wall Mount Credenza for 't Spectrum
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome wall mounted credenza by Martin Visser for 't Spectrum. Lightly refinished wengé wood casing with white sliding doors and shelves. In original overall condition with visible...
Wenge, Wood
Martin Visser Teak Sideboard with Industrial Base
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome midcentury teak sideboard with double sliding doors on a new made black enameled metal base. Lightly refinished with blonde shelves. In overall good condition with some wear...
Metal
Rare Martin Visser Bornholm KW63 Sideboard for Spectrum, 1950s
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare teak Bornholm KW63 modular storage system with 2 cabinets and a small square 2-tiered metal and glass by Martin Visser for Spectrum, 1950s. Storage cabinets are teak with white ...
Metal